Screen retaining latch



June 18, 1940. A. LANG SCREEN RETAINING LATCH Filed March 18, 1939 ||||||`|lIIIIlIllIHIIIHHHIIIIIlllllllllIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIII IN V EN TOR.

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Patented June 18, 1940 UNITEDv STATES SCREEN RETAINING LATCH Albert Lang, Berkeley, Calif. Y Application Mai-cil is, 1939, serial No. 262,741v

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to Window screens and more particularly to a spring operated latching means for Securing a window screen over a window opening An object of the invention is to provide a new, novel, Simple and inexpensive form of latching means for securing a metallic window screen upon a window frame.

In the past it has been the practice in connection with Window screens of the character described to provide various forms of clamps and/r Screw attached means for securing the metallic screen frame upon a window frame. While this form of fastening means is acceptable where the screen does not have to be frequently removed from the Window frame, where for various reasons itis desirable that the Screen be made removable from the window frame, this form of fastening means is not so desirable, as it requires the use of special tools to release the Screen. Itis, therefore, a further object of this invention to provide a practical -form of screen securing means which will effectively hold a screen upon a window frame and at the Same time permit its removal in a Simple and convenient manner without resortto the unscrewing of any clamps or other securing means.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had Ato the drawing, wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation preferred embodiments thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a fragmentary View in elevation of a window frame showing a screen equipped with a latching means of the character contemplatedy by' the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View 'taken along line II-`I of Figure 1 looking in direction of arrows,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view Showing the latching means as illustrated in Figure 1 associated with a different form of detent,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the form and manner of slotting a screen frame for a latch of the. type illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, n

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modied form of the Screen frame as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing,

Figure 6 is an exploded View showing the details of a preferred form of latching means in perspective, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view similar to that of Figure 2 showing the invention applied ,to a metallic screen frame of different construction and in association with a dierent type of detent.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention,

a Screen, designated by the numeral I0, having a metallic lframe II and equipped with latch- 5 ing means vI 2 constructed in accordance with the present invention, is shown as Secured upon a wooden window frame I3 by means of flanged detents I4. The metallic frameII of the screen Ill maybe of any desired configuration with re- 10 specty to cross-section. As shown, this screen frame II is formedof a Strip of metal that is folded longitudinally to form a screen fabric and securing spline receiving channel intermediate its edges andas having a window frame engaging flange I5 around its outer edge.v f

As shown' in Figure 2 of the drawing, the flange I5 is formed at the outer `edge of an outer side wall lli that cooperateswith anl inner side wall forming beading il to Aprovide a channel into which the edge of the screen fabric Ill and a screen fabric securingspline I8 is'adapted to be pressed. AS Shown inthis figure of the drawing, Ithe detent I4 is secured upon a side surface of the window frame I3 .by vmeans of screws I9. It will be understood, however, that the detent Ill may be of a different type and be secured upon the surface of the window frame I3 against which the ange I5 of the screen frame'is placed. Such a detent is illustrated in Figure 3 in the form of a looped strap that is secured by means of' Screws 2I upon the surface against which the screen frame Il abuts.

Extending through the outer wall rI6 of the screen frame II and the beaded inner wall form-r ing portion Il of the screen frame I I there is a flat detent engaging member 22 which is mounted to Slide transversely through the spline receiving channel of the frame. This flat detent engaging member 22 extends outwardly at one end beyond the window frame engaging flange Iii of the frame II and at this point itis bent back as at 23 to provide an inclined detent engaging Surface the purpose of which will appear hereinafter. At itsY other end the flat detent engaging member 22 extends inwardly over the screen fabric opening of the frame I I whereit iS engaged by a tension spring 24. The other l end of the tension spring 24 is shown as spread and secured to the .beaded flange forming portion I1 of the frame IIy so that it will yexert an outward bias on the flat detent forming member 22 and cause it to engage under the detent I4 when thescreen frame YII is positioned upon the window frame I3. In order to retain the ,55

`elements that form the detent.

.'ivith both the frame il flat detent member 22 in cooperating relation with the spring 24 and at the same time provide a means whereby the detent forming member 22 may be retracted manually as when the screen iii is being removed from a window frame, there is provided a grip forming member 25 of novel construction. This grip forming member serves to conceal the spring 24 and also acts as a stop to limit the outward detent engaging movement of the detent forming member 22 under the influence of the spring 24.

As illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing, the metallic frame il is provided with a flat slot 26 which extends through its outer wall I6 at a point closely adjacent the bottom of the spline receiving channel where the detent forming member 22 may slide under the screen fabric retaining spline i8 when thescreen fabric l0 is assembled upon the frame Il. The inner wall of the frame I i is shown as having a cut-out portion 27 through which the split or stretched end of the tension spring 24 may be passed to a position within the beaded liange forming portion I1 of the frame. The wide part of the cut-out portion 2i is arranged in alignment with the slot 26 so that the detent forming member 22 will be guided in a path transverse to the frame Il at this point. With this arrangement it will be seen that in addition to forming a reinforced inner wall upon `the screen frame Il, the beaded ange forming portion I1 also provides a recess into which the end of the tension spring 24 may extend.

In Figure 5 of the drawing, there is shown a modification of the screen frame in which the outer wall, designated by the numeral 28, of the frame il is upset, as at 29, to provide a recess at the bottom of the spline receiving channel through which the slidable detent engaging member 22 may slide without any danger of interference with the screen fabric or its securing spline i8. In this embodiment, the sides of the frame may be provided with aligned slots 38 through which the flat detent forming member 22 is adapted to slide.

Reference is now made to Figure 6 oi the drawing for a detailed description of the three As here shown, the tension spring 24 is provided with a hooked end 3i which extends back along one side of the spring so as to accommodate the hat detent lcrrning member 22 andvthus hold the spring 24 closely adjacent the under side thereof. At its other end the spring 24 is shown as having a stretched end S2, but it will be understood that any suitable form of hook or other securing arrangement may be used at this end of the spring. The detent forming member 22, in addition to having the angular-ly bent end 23 is also shown as being reduced in width at its inner end as at 33 and as having oppositely disposed kerfs in its edges and a notch 35 at the eXtreme end thereof. After the detent forming member 22 is projected through the slots in the screen frame i i with the spring 24 in place, it will be seen that when the grip forming member 25 is placed over 'the inner end of the detent forming member 22 the spring 24 will be held in cooperation relation and the end of the detent forming member 22 and at the same time the grip forming member 25 will serve, because of overhanging sides 36, to conceal the spring and also provide a gripping surface by means of which the detent forming member 22 may be retracted manually againsttheaction-of the spring 24.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the overhanging sides 36 of the grip forming member 25 are shown as bowed inwardly as at 3'! so as to engage with the kerfs 34 ol the slidable detent forming member 22 and thus prevent lon gitudinal movement between these two parts when they are assembled. As an additional adjunct and in order to provide ior a quick and convenient means of assembly the side walls 36 of the grip forming member 25 are also shown as having indented or crimped portions 38 that form a projection on the inner surface thereof which will snap under the edges of the detent forming member 22 and there operate to Jfirmly secure the grip forming member 25 upon the detent forming member 22 where it will present a neat appearance and provide a grip by means of which the latch may be moved into a screen releasing position. In addition to the above characteristics, it will be noted that the grip forming member 25 is also provided with an extending end 39 that is adapted to abut against the inside wall of the screen frame Il and thus provide a stop which will limit the outward movement of the detent forming member 22 under the iniiuence of the spring 24.

In Figure 7 of the drawing the invention is shown as applied to a metallic screen frame 40 which is of a different cross-sectional outline than the frame il previously described. This frame d has an outer box-like reinforcing portion 4l along the inner side of which there is a spline and screen fabric receiving channel. In this form of screen frame the detent forming member 22 is adapted to slide through two oppositely spaced slots cut in the inner and outer side walls of the frame 40 as described above. The spring 24 is interposed between the inside wall of the frame lil and the outer end of the detent forming member 22 in the manner above described. In this particular embodiment, however, due to the absence of the open or tubular type of beaded flange at the inside of the spline receiving channel the end of the spring 24 is provided with an cutwardly extending end 42 that is projected through a small hole in the wall of the channel forming portion of the frame where it is bent over at a right angle or otherwise upset to secure its end to the frame at this point. As here shown the projecting end of the detent forming member 22 cooperates with a plate 43 which frames a recess 44 in a side surface of the window frame.

It is believed that the operation of the invention will be apparent from the above description.

However, it is thought that some further comment on the simplicity of the arrangement and the ease with which the parts are assembled may be helpful in gaining a better understanding of its novel features. In this connection, after the metallic frame has been prepared with the opposed slots in its inside and outside walls as disclosed and is nally completed by the addition of a screen fabric and securing spline, the spring 24 is rst secured at its one end to the screen frame. Following this, the slidable detent 22 is projected through the aligned slots from the outside of the frame and into hooked relation with the inner end of the spring 24. Then while the detent forming member 22 is held in this position the grip forming member 25 is snapped down over the inwardly projecting end of the detent forming member 22 to complete the assembly. Should it be desired, for any reason, to remove the detent forming member from the screen, it is onlynecessary to-Aremove theV grip forming member after which the detent forming member 22 and the spring 24 may be removedfrom the frame. Since this form of assemblyrequires no special `toolsor factory operations, it is possible to ship the screens Without the detents assembled thereupon, as these parts can be easily assembled at the location where being installed in the `manner above described without the use of special tools. v

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose the invention so that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated speciiic devices and arrangements, I desire to have it understood that this invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and it is desired to claim it so that all such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are ,to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination in screens of the character described, of a metallic screen fabric supporting frame, a detent engaging member slidably mounted upon said frame and having an end extending inwardly over the screen fabric opening of the screen frame, a tension spring secured at one end to said frame and at its other end to the inwardly extending end of said detent engaging member and located under said detent engaging member Aadjacent the -screen fabric upon said frame, and a cover member secured over the inwardly projecting end of said detent engaging member having side and end portions adapted to conceal and retain said spring in operative relation with said slidable detent engaging member.

v2. The combination in screens of the character described, of a metallic screen fabric supporting frame, a detent engaginglmember slidably mounted upon said frame and having an end .extending inwardly over the screen` fabric .opening of the screen frame, a tension spring secured at one end to the inside wall of said frame and havingits yother end hooked over the inwardly extending .end of said detent engaging member, Iand a grip forming member secured over ythe inwardly projecting end of said slidable detent engaging` member adapted to concealand retairrsaid spring in operative relation with said slidaliledetent engaging' member.

3. In a window screen retaining latch, the combination of a metallic screen fabric supporting frame of the type having a channel-like construction for the receptionv of va'screen fabric and a retaining rod, a detent engaging member adapted to move through said frame transversely to said channel, said detent engaging memberV being slidable'ythrough aligned slots cut in the inner and outer walls of said frame and extending inwardly over the screen fabric opening of theV frame, a tension spring'secured at one end to the inner i3-all of said frame channel and at its other end to said detent engaging member, and a boxlike enclosing member secured over the inwardly extending end of said detent engaging member adapted to conceal said spring and form a grip by means of which said slidable detent engaging member may be operated.

4. In a window screen retaining latch, the combination of a metallic screen fabric supporting frame of the type having a channel for the reception of a screen fabric and a retaining rod,

a slidable detent engaging member adapted to move transversely vthrough said frame and at the bottom of said channel, said slidable detent engagingmember being disposed in aligned slots cut through the inner and outer walls of said frame channel and extending outwardly at one end to. engage a detent andinwardly over the screen fabric opening of the frame to support an operating means, a tension spring secured at one end to the inner wall of said channel and at its other end to the inner end of said slidable detent engaging member, and a member secured over the inwardly extending end of said detent engaging member adapted to conceal said spring and form an operating means by which said slidable detent engaging member may be operated to disengage the detent.

5. In a window screen retaining latch, the combination of a Window screen having a metallic frame of substantially rectangular cross-section and having a screen fabric and spline receiving channel formed in one side thereof, said screen frame having a window frame engaging surface disposed outwardly from said channel and an outer wall extending around said channel, said outer wall having oppositely disposed slots through which a detent engaging member is adapted to slide transversely of the channel, a slidable detent engaging member extending through the slots in the side Walls of said frame and over the screen frame opening, a tension spring attached at one end to the inner wall of said-frame and its other end engaging the inwardly extending end of said slidable detent engaging member, whereby said slidable detent engaging member will be biased outwardly with respect to the frame, and a grip forming member secured upon the inwardly projecting end of said slidable detent engaging member adapted to conceal said spring and form a stop to limit the slidable movement of said detent engaging member.

6. The combination with a metallic window screen of the type having a window frame engaging portion and a screen fabric and spline receiving channel extending inwardly therefrom, a beading upon said frame forming the inside wall of said channel, a detent engaging member extending transversely through the frame at the bottom of said channel, said detent engaging member being projected through aligned slots in the side walls of the frame, a tension spring secured at one end to the beading which forms the inner wall of said channel and at its other end to the inwardly extending end of said detent engaging member, a stop forming means secured upon said detent engaging member to limit its outward movement in response to said tension spring, a retaining detent with which the outer end of said ,detent engaging member cooperates when the screen is in position upon the Window frame, the outer end of said detent engaging member being bent yinwardly at an angle toward the frame, Wherebyit will be moved inwardly as said detent is engaged when placing the screen upon the window frame and subsequently move outwardly under the detent when the screen frame is finally positioned upon a window frame.

'7. The combination with a metallic window walls of the frame, a tension spring secured at one end to the inner wall of said frame and at its other end to the inwardly extending end of said detent engaging member, a stop forming means secured upon said detent engaging member to limit its outward movement in response to said tension spring, the outer end of said detent engaging member being bent inwardly at an angle toward the frame, whereby it will be moved inwardly when brought into engagement with its detent as when being placed upon a window frame and subsequently move outwardly to engage the detent when the screen frame is finally positioned upon a window frame.

8. In a screen latching means of the character described, the combination of a metallic frame having a window frame engaging portion and spaced parallel side walls, a detent engaging member slidably mounted upon said frame, said detent engaging member being extended through aligned slots in the spaced side walls of said frame and having its outer end bent to form an inclined detent engaging surface, a tension spring secured at one end to the inner wall of said frame and at its other end to the inner end of said detent engaging member, whereby said detent engaging member will be urged outwardly through the slots in the side walls of said frame and into cooperating engagement with a detent when the frame is in position upon the window frame, and means secured upon the inwardly projecting end of said detent engaging member for limiting the outward movement thereof under the inuence of said spring.

9. A latching means for metallic screens of the type having a screen fabric and spline receiving channel, comprising a flat detent forming member adapted to be projected through oppositely aligned slots formed in the side walls of the channel forming portion of said frame and extend from both sides thereof, the outer end of said detent forming member being bent to form an inclined detent engaging ange and the inner end of said detent forming member being formed to receive the end of a tension spring, a tension spring secured at one end to the inner end of said detent forming member and at its outer end to the inside wall of said screen frame, and a cover-like member crimped over the inner end of said detent forming member and forming an operating grip which will also act as a stop to limit the outward movement of said detent forming member.

10. In a retaining means for metallic screens, the combination of a metallic screen frame having spaced parallel side walls with aligned slots cut therethrough, a flat detent forming member slidably mounted in said slots for movement transverse to the walls of said frame, spring means secured at one end to the inner wall of said frame and at its other end to a projecting end of said fiat detent forming mem-ber adapted to bias said member outwardly with respect to said frame, the outer end of said detent forming member being bent to provide an inclined detent engaging surface and the inner end of said fiat detentl member being provided with kerfs in its edges, and a cover-like member having side flanges bowed inwardly to engage the kerfs in the edges of said detent forming member, whereby said cover-like member will be held against longitudinal movement upon said detent forming member and provide a grip by means of which said detent forming member may be moved manually against the action of said spring.

11. The combination in screens of the character described, of a metallic screen fabric supporting frame, a detent engaging member slidably mounted upon said frame and having an end extending inwardly over the screen fabric opening of the screen frame, a tension spring secured at one end to said frame and at its other end to the inwardly extending end of said detent engaging member and located under said detent engaging member adjacent the screen fabric upon said frame, and means carried by the inwardly projecting end of said detent engaging member for concealing and retaining said spring in operative relation with said detent engaging member.

12. In a window screen retaining latch, the combination of a metallic screen fabric supporting frame of the type having a channel-like construction for the reception of a screen fabric and a retaining rod, a detent engaging member adapted to move through said frame transversely to said channel, said detent engaging member being slidable through aligned slots cut in the inner and outer walls of said frame and extending inwardly over the screen fabric opening of the frame, a tension spring secured at one end to the inner wall of said frame channel and at its other end to said detent engaging member, and spring enclosing means carried by the inwardly extending end of said detent engaging member adapted to conceal said spring and form a grip by which said slidable detent engaging member may be operated.

13. In a window screen retaining latch, the

combination of a window screen having a metallic frame of substantially rectangular cross-section and having a screen fabric and spline receiving channel formed in one side thereof, said screen frame having a window frame engaging surface disposed outwardly from said channel and an outer Wall extending around said channel, said outer wall having oppositely disposed slots through which a detent engaging member is adapted to slide transversely of the channel, a slidable detent engaging member extending through the slots in the side walls of said frame and over the screen frame opening, and a tension spring attached at one end to the inner wall of said frame and its other end engaging the inwardly extending end of said slidable detent engaging member, whereby said slidable detent engaging member will be biased outwardly with respect to the frame.

ALBERT LANG. 

